BREAKING: Disney Springs Brightline Station Cancelled Due to Track Rerouting
Disney has unexpectedly cancelled the Disney Springs Brightline station and their involvement in the high-speed rail line extension between Orlando and Tampa.
A Disney representative confirmed today, June 27th, that the Brightline high-speed rail station scheduled to run at Disney Springs has been terminated.
The station, was set to connect the two, Walt Disney World to Orlando International Airport, including Tampa by a high-speed railroad, has been confirmed cancelled by the Orlando Business Journal.
A Walt Disney World spokesperson named Avery Mather stated, “As many people who are involved in this project are aware, the new route configuration does not support a Disney Springs station and as a result, we don’t anticipate being part of this project.”
Orlando Business Journal also stated that the Brightline representatives were not available for comment.
Formerly, the route was set to detour Orlando to the south and travel directly to Disney World before following I-4 to Tampa.
But lobbyist within the city including business associations along International Drive and Universal Orlando Resort pressed for a station near the major tourist corridor, which is located at the Orange County Convention Center. Directly across from the future Epic Universe Park, then progressing onto Disney World.
Due to this possible change, it is assumed, Disney World has terminated their initial plans and the train will now proceed directly from International Drive to Tampa.
Though Brightline announced its agreement with Disney World to develop the new train station at Disney Springs in November 2020, it looks to be far different from today’s plans.
Ben Porritt, Brightline’s senior vice president of corporate affairs, said in a statement to WPTV, “Late last year, we were asked by several community leaders to explore alternative alignments for our planned expansion from (Orlando International Airport) to Tampa,”
“The original plan called for a single station at Disney Springs. Along with a broad range of stakeholders, we have identified a solution now known as the Sunshine Corridor, which contemplates two new stations and integrates Brightline’s intercity service with SunRail, through an east-west expansion.
Porritt said, “one station will be at the Orange County Convention Center and another will be near the Disney Springs, although not on Disney property.”
“Taken together, the three integrated stations provide access to the largest economic and employment centers in central Florida and offer the best opportunity for the success of Brightline and SunRail,” Porritt said.
Though this was to be another means of transportation for Disney guests to get from Orlando Airport to Disney World that Disney backed up, we will have to see what comes from it in the future. You can currently catch over a handful of transportation means to get to Disney World though some can cost a pretty penny. We will have to wait and see what more comes of this and the future of transportation to and from Orlando airport and Disney World.